Monthly Archives: November 2016

Award-Winning Fast Casual Restaurant Rewards Those Who Are Making A Difference in Their Local Communities

Press Release – ATLANTA (November 29, 2016) – In the spirit of the holiday season, McAlister’s Deli®, a leading fast casual restaurant, is launching its first-ever Everyday Heroes program, an initiative designed to thank individuals who have gone above and beyond for their communities. Each deserving Everyday Hero has been nominated by his or her local McAlister’s Deli for continuously working hard to help others.

To recognize and reward each Everyday Hero, nominated individuals have been gifted $500 worth of McAlister’s gift cards to use for themselves, their families and to distribute to their communities in any way they choose. McAlister’s will also be sharing their stories throughout the month of December to shine a light on the selfless work they are doing, and the positive impact they have on those around them. McAlister’s 2016 Everyday Heroes include:

Dr. David Schilling (Church Hill, TN): Dr. Schilling was instrumental in starting the Church Hill Medical Mission in 2000. During the first year of operation, the clinic served 75 patients, and to date that number has increased to more than 500 visits a year. To more effectively communicate with patients at the clinic, he learned how to speak Spanish at a local university. Dr. Schilling plans to use this donation to hold an appreciation luncheon for all of the dedicated, hard-working volunteers at the clinic.

Julie Meeks (Clinton, MS): A teacher’s assistant with Northside Elementary, Julie works with special needs students in an inclusion classroom. She is currently working on an accelerated reader program with her students to monitor and improve each child’s reading aptitude, and plans to use these gift cards as incentive to encourage her students to achieve their reading goals.

Lisa Higginbotham (Birmingham, AL): Lisa is the benevolent fund program manager with the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) system. She works tirelessly to secure donations for more than 130 local charities, and partners with nonprofits to make a positive impact on the greater community. Lisa and the other UAB volunteers are currently working to bring a Ronald McDonald House family room to the university hospital in order to create a welcoming space and offer support to families of our youngest patients. Lisa plans to use these gift cards to honor her stellar UAB employees that make donations to support local organizations from their own paychecks.

Sister Barbara Ann Zeller (Louisville, KY): Sister Barbara Ann has dedicated her life over the past two decades to helping children, families and senior citizens in need. She led the effort to develop the first group home program for foster children, now called The Providence House, in Floyd County, Indiana. The Providence House helps programmatically reunite families suffering from incidents of child abuse, child neglect, homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence and incarceration. She plans to share the gift cards with families in The Providence House, and gift them to the home’s outstanding employees.

“Generosity and kindness are core values at McAlister’s – we’re always looking to recognize acts of kindness, and there is no better time to celebrate the spirit of generosity than around the holidays.” said Rick Altizer, president, McAlister’s Deli. “We’re truly humbled by the stories of these Everyday Heroes, and hope they inspire others to help make their communities a better place as well.”

During the month of December, McAlister’s Deli will be sharing the incredible stories of Everyday Heroes and the positive impact they have on the people around them. Make sure you check out McAlister’s social media channels to learn more about these stories and join the conversation around the spirit of generosity.

Is there someone in your town doing self-less work? Do you know someone who deserves a thank you? Give them the gift of delicious with a McAlister’s Deli gift card this holiday season! For more information on McAlister’s Deli and our gift card offerings, please visit http://www.mcalistersdeli.com/gift-cards/.

About McAlister’s

Founded in 1989, McAlister’s Deli® is a fast casual restaurant chain known for its sandwiches, spuds, soups, salads, desserts and McAlister’s Famous Sweet Tea™. In addition to dine-in and take-out service, McAlister’s also offers catering with a selection of sandwich trays, box lunches, desserts, a hot spud bar and more. With numerous industry accolades, the McAlister’s brand has more than 361 restaurants in 28 states. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. For more information, visit www.mcalistersdeli.com.

SimplyFun’s product donation will support The Toys for Tots Foundation mission, which is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them into becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.

Additionally, SimplyFun will provide support in the form of product to long-time partner, My Stuff Bags Foundation. The My Stuff Bags Foundation mission is to provide new belongings, comfort, and hope to thousands of children each year who must be rescued from abuse, neglect, and abandonment across the United States.

SimplyFun will also run a promotion on Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2016, in which a $10 donation will be made to My Stuff Bags Foundation through the purchase of a SimplyCaring Tibbar puppet.

“Every child deserves to play regardless of their circumstances,” said SimplyFun President and CEO, Patty Pearcy. “SimplyFun is proud to be able to share our games through Toys for Tots and My Stuff Bags to bring joy and create a love of learning to children in need.”

About SimplyFun

SimplyFun believes in the undeniable power of shared play to learn, grow, and realize our fullest, brightest potential. We champion a vibrant, play-based education that enriches our families and ourselves. To contribute to what’s truly important in life—the potential of our children, the success of our schools, and our own personal fulfillment. Founded in 2004, SimplyFun provides its Playologists (Independent Consultants) the opportunity to make a difference for kids and families with its skills-focused board games while earning income through direct sales opportunities in person and online.

About Marines Toys for Tots Foundation:

Marines Toys for Tots Foundation’s mission is to assist the U. S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. This assistance includes supporting the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program by raising funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots campaigns, to provide promotional and support material and defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots campaigns.

About My Stuff Bags Foundation

My Stuff Bags was launched in 1998 to address some of the immediate physical and emotional needs of children who must be rescued from abuse, neglect and abandonment. Traumatized by the events leading to their rescue, these children often enter shelters and foster care with no belongings. Each individual My Stuff duffel bag is filled by volunteers with new donated items, giving children comfort and hope and letting them know that lots of people care about them.

K.I.N.D. – KIDS IN NEED OF DESKS – Provides Desks and Scholarships to Children in Africa to Promote Better Education

MSNBC is the Signature Media Partner of #GivingTuesday

Press Release – NEW YORK, NEW YORK – As the country enters the holiday season, MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell is once again supporting the K.I.N.D. fund, a charitable organization that he created in partnership with the US Fund for UNICEF, to aid school children in Africa. Having recently returned from a trip to Malawi, Africa, O’Donnell will share details of his trip tonight on THE LAST WORD WITH LAWRENCE O’DONNELL (10-11 PM ET) and continue the fundraising effort with viewers that has, to date, raised over 10.5 million dollars.

Created in 2010, K.I.N.D., (Kids In Need of Desks), raises money to provide school desks to children in Malawi. In 2012, the K.I.N.D. project expanded its reach by funding scholarships for girls attending secondary school in rural Malawi.

The K.I.N.D. project has donated more than 150,000 desks benefitting more than 450,000 Malawian students, yet seventy percent of school children still do not have a desk or chair. O’Donnell stated, “teachers in Malawi always tell me the thing they need most is desks. When we deliver desks to schools, it’s like Christmas morning for the kids. They all help unload the truck and carry desks into their classrooms. You see an instant change in the learning environment. MSNBC’s commitment has been crucial to K.I.N.D’s success and continues to change lives in Malawi every day.”

A donation of $55.00 sponsors a desk and bench for two to three students in Malawi. $177.00 provides a one year secondary school scholarship to a girl in Malawi. The scholarship covers tuition, room and board, textbooks, transportation, a school uniform, and learning supplies.

THE LAST WORD will have a segment highlighting Lawrence O’Donnell’s recent trip to Malawi, Africa tonight, Tuesday November 29.

For the third year in a row, MSNBC is #GivingTuesday’s signature media partner and will showcase stories of individuals, groups, charities and organizations championing various causes. MSNBC will host a social campaign with the hashtag #GivingTuesday, illustrating how our anchors and correspondents plan to give back. http://www.msnbc.com/giving-tuesday

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

By Booking Direct, Members May Now Choose To Donate 5% Cash Back Rewards To A Local Charity Project Via GlobalGiving

Press Release – LOS ANGELES, CA (Nov. 29, 2016) – On the heels of announcing its 500th partner hotel, the industry’s only hotel cash rewards program – The Guestbook – has upped the ante once again. In a generous move unmatched by other hotel rewards and charitable programs, members of The Guestbook are able to apply their 5% cash back rewards to a charity project of their choice via an exclusive partnership with GlobalGiving, the largest crowdfunding community connecting nonprofits and donors to support critical causes worldwide.

“I have always appreciated my travel experiences and the communities that I have been fortunate enough to visit,” said James Gancos, Founder & CEO of The Guestbook. “I believe that giving back makes a trip more fulfilling and better connects you to the place. With this latest redemption option, our travelers can choose to donate to a local community near the boutique hotel they’ve visited or support an important cause closer to home.”

The vetted programs curated by GlobalGiving are all community-based and located in 165 countries around the world. Donations are U.S. tax-deductible, and donors may elect to receive periodic updates so they can see the difference they’re making for a project in need.

The Guestbook and GlobalGiving have been working together since The Guestbook’s inception. Until now, charitable donations were awarded as an extra bonus for members celebrating their 10th and 25th stay milestones. With this latest capstone charitable option, members may choose to donate starting on their first stay, thus encouraging travelers to give back more often and in more places.

“We are thrilled about our partnership with The Guestbook,” said Mari Kuraishi, President of GlobalGiving. “Their customers are travelers who care about the world, so giving them the chance to support causes in the places they visit is a great fit.”

Created to reward travelers for booking direct, The Guestbook rethinks, re-sparks and reinforces the relationship between hotels and their guests. Members earn 5% cash back rewards instantly, or they can double the value to 10% in Trip Cash, which may be used toward a future stay at one of The Guestbook’s 500+ partner hotels.

For more information about The Guestbook’s GlobalGiving partnership and to enroll, visit www.TheGuestbook.com.

Press Release – NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Blackbaud, the world’s leading cloud software company powering social good who processes a majority of online donations made in the U.S. on #GivingTuesday, is reporting nearly half way through the day that:

As of 2pm ET – #GivingTuesday online giving volume is up 17% compared to 2015.

As of 2pm ET – There was a 32% increase in the number of organizations receiving #GivingTuesday online donations compared to 2015.

As of 2pm ET – 23% of #GivingTuesday online donations have been made on a mobile device.

As of 2pm ET – #GivingTuesday online giving is up 5% compared to 2015.

Attached is broadcast quality b-roll of Blackbaud’s Nasdaq command center and Tower Takeover, as well as photos of nonprofits and other change-makers the company been highlighting throughout the day across its marketing channels, social media platforms and in Times Square.

Broadcast quality b-roll of Blackbaud reporting on big data for #GivingTuesday at its command center at the Nasdaq studio in New York City.

Blackbaud has been highlighting nonprofits and other change-makers throughout the day on the Nasdaq Tower in hopes that more cause-minded individuals will do their part to support the work of social good on #GivingTuesday.

Blackbaud’s Social Good Scientists™ and other industry experts are available to comment on this information as well as other data trends.

Blackbaud is takes over the Nasdaq tower at Times Square to promote what its customers are doing for #GivingTuesday. Help Orbis give the gift of sight this #GivingTuesday

Blackbaud is takes over the Nasdaq tower at Times Square to promote what its customers are doing for #GivingTuesday. Turn your money into meaning with Blackbaud on this #GivingTuesday

Blackbaud is takes over the Nasdaq tower at Times Square to promote what its customers are doing for #GivingTuesday. Your dollars help Project HOPE drive humanitarian assistance around the world.

Blackbaud is takes over the Nasdaq tower at Times Square to promote what its customers are doing for #GivingTuesday. Blackbaud is excited to help raise awareness for organizations like Wings for Kids right here in our own backyard.

Blackbaud is takes over the Nasdaq tower at Times Square to promote what its customers are doing for #GivingTuesday. Join National Multiple Sclerosis Society this #GivingTuesday to accelerate breakthroughs that change the world for people living with MS.

This profile is part of our crowdfunding site directory. If you have used the site and have comments you’d like to share with our readers, please share them below. If you are part of the company and see an error that needs correcting, please send us an email.

Press Release – WASHINGTON, Nov. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Environics Communications in Washington, DC announced today that in honor of #GivingTuesday, it will donate $20K of pro-bono communications work, to be split evenly between two Washington-area nonprofits.

For this campaign, Environics seeks outstanding nonprofit organizations that are having a measurable impact in their community and would benefit most from the donation of communications work. After the three finalists are selected, Environics will meet with each organization’s leadership to determine the most strategic approach to provide the maximum assistance for the donation amount. All Washington, DC nonprofits are invited to apply by December 14 for consideration. Selected non-profits will be announced on December 25, with work beginning on January 3rd.

Senior Vice President and US General Manager Mimi Carter said, “There are so many organizations doing great work in the community, but who struggle to get their message out and their voices heard. We look forward to providing strategic counsel, as well as digital and traditional media outreach, to help further their missions.”

Environics Communications DC office just won four MarCom Awards for their work with nonprofit organizations, including two platinum awards for The MasterCard Foundation for their Instagram campaign, #EnvisionAWorld, and for digital marketing for increased Facebook engagement. This donation of services to nonprofits is an expansion of Environics’ existing community outreach, including pro-bono work for Inner City-Inner Child, a DC nonprofit that promotes literacy through early-childhood arts programming, and DC Communicators, a free professional development series for Washington-area communicators.

Environics Communications Inc. is a full-service, integrated public relations and marketing communications agency. Since our founding in 1994, the company has grown to a staff of more than 140 in the U.S. and Canada with clients in the association/nonprofit, consumer markets, corporate/financial, environment, healthcare, and technology. We proactively seek big ideas in order to achieve results with impact.

Nonprofit dedicated to fighting global warming kicks off seasonal program in New York City

Press Release – San Francisco, CA – November 29, 2016 – Launching in New York City today, Cool Effect™ is highlighting the plight of snowmen to inspire people to take proven, measurable action against climate change by supporting high-quality greenhouse gas reducing projects around the globe.

The light-hearted campaign, Save Our Snowmen, is backed by startling facts about the reduction in snowfall in the US over time, and features a mockumentary film that depicts the issue of climate change from the perspective of snowmen and the people they encounter on the path to safety.

To kick off the program, Cool Effect and snowmen ambassadors will canvas New York City on #GivingTuesday and migrate north, from the Financial District to Columbus Circle, making stops in between as they seek cooler temperatures. Cool Effect will encourage people to view the mockumentary, contribute to the cause, and share the campaign on social by posting selfies while wearing snowman props. To extend the broader message of giving back to our beloved planet beyond the perimeters of New York City, Cool Effect will contribute one dollar (up to $10,000) on behalf of individuals across the country for every social share tagging #SaveOurSnowmen.

“Everyone loves snowmen, but they are melting right along with our glaciers,” said Marisa de Belloy, COO of Cool Effect. “We are educating in fresh, creative ways to make it interesting and fun to take direct and tangible action on this serious subject. We hope everyone will want to see the film and then save a snowman!”

Marisa de Belloy

The goal of the Save Our Snowmen campaign is to help foster the growth of projects that verifiably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cool the planet. A contribution – either personal or as a holiday gift for others – of $10 for an individual Snowman, $25 for a Snow Family or $50 for an Avalanche of Snowmen directly benefits projects that are helping to save our earth. Each tax-deductible contribution is delivered complete with a personalized certificate.

To view the mockumentary, support carbon reduction projects and learn more, visit SaveOurSnowmen.org.

ABOUT COOL EFFECT™

Cool Effect is a San Francisco Bay Area 501(c)(3) nonprofit that allows individuals to create a tangible impact on climate change through a digital platform, providing consistent funding to the highest-quality carbon reducing projects around the world.

Cool Effect was founded on the passionate belief that individual support of projects will create a cumulative effect that will reduce and prevent carbon pollution. Like the Butterfly Effect, The Ripple Effect, and others, a single action can have global impact. The organization’s mission is to ignite planet sized change. To learn more, please visit cooleffect.org or follow Cool Effect on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

10% of net proceeds from author Martha Abbey Miller’s touching tribute to her friend that gave hope to thousands of Haitians will be donated to help rebuild damage from Hurricane Matthew

Press Release – Humanitarian Frances Maschal Landers was 60-years-old when she first accompanied her husband, Dr. Gardner Landers, to Haiti where he was there to perform cataract surgery on the needlessly blind. During their mission, she met Father Jean-Wilfrid Albert and her life changed forever.

In author Martha Abbey Miller’s new book, “Hope Personified: Frances Maschal Landers,” she chronicles the partnership formed between Landers and Father Albert and the development of the Haiti Education Foundation.

It was Father Albert’s passion and determination to help the children of Haiti that inspired Landers to do something about it. Throughout the span of 30 years, Landers with the help of her church, family and friends built over 50 schools to help end illiteracy for tens of thousands of Haitians.

After the recent destruction by Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, the schools that Landers and Albert once built are now in desperate need of repair.

“I was saddened to read on the Haiti Education Foundation’s website that among the damage, the high school roof was blown off in Cherident,” said Miller. “That is why I am pledging 10% of my net proceeds from ‘Hope Personified’ towards helping rebuild the schools through the Foundation.”

In time for Giving Tuesday, Miller hopes to inspire through Landers’s story and show proof that one is never too old to make a difference. She was a woman from Arkansas who met a priest from Haiti and together they shared a vision to change a generation through education and hope.

About the author

In 1999, the children of Haiti, specifically those in schools built by Frances Landers, found their way into the heart of Martha Abbey Miller. She developed a wonderful friendship with Landers and an admiration for her Haiti Education Foundation. On trips to Haiti, Miller photographed thousands of children in HEF schools. After retiring from a 30-year communications career, she now enjoys using her writing skills to support her church and community non-profits. Miller is also a motivational speaker and performs first-person portrayals of women of historical importance. She continues to stay involved in Haiti Education Foundation’s ministry, and was delighted to write Hope Personified to honor Frances Landers. Miller currently resides in Westlake Village, California and this is her first book. To learn more please visit: http://www.marthaabbeymiller.info/ .

Press Release – NEW CANAAN, Conn., Nov. 23, 2016 — From Dec. 10–23, Grace Farms will offer opportunities for the public to collaborate for good during Christmas Joy at the River with charitable and community programs. The seasonal programs will offer a contemplative space and a taste of the Christmas season with music (traditional and jazz), readings, and holiday gifts for Neighbors Link, Malta House, local homebound seniors, and the International Institute of Connecticut (IICONN).

A Community Dinner on Dec. 16 will feature a special meal ($10 adults, $6 kids) with holiday music from local jazz artists Rob Fried and Hot Sauce, joined by Tyger MacNeal and Doug Hartline. During the After Dinner program, Gifting for Good, people can help assemble and wrap holiday packages with family and friends by donating $20 for blankets, toiletries, and other essential items to benefit local immigrant families through the not-for-profit Neighbor’s Link. For the month of December, the public can participate in giving to newly resettled refugees through a Giving Tree in the Library. On Dec. 13 and 20, New Canaan’s own Service League of Boys (SLOBS) will bake holiday cookies and pastries in the Commons kitchen for homebound seniors in the area and Malta House in Norwalk.

Grace Farms will also host fireside readings, holiday piano arrangements, a Poetry Potluck, a moonlit stroll, and an afternoon 3-on-3 Christmas Cup basketball tournament. Visitors can come to one event, wander along the River to experience a variety of activities, or enjoy a quiet hour in the Sanctuary with the winter view of surrounding meadows and woodlands.

A brief overview of Christmas Joy programming follows; a complete listing with registration information can be found at gracefarms.org/calendar.

Fireside Stories
December 10, 4–6 pm, C. S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
December 17, 12–4 pm, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Gather around the fire and listen as staff members read aloud with hot cider and snacks.

Songs of the Season
Dec. 14–23, Tuesday through Saturday, 2–3 pm
Listen to improvisational arrangements of Christmas carols performed by pianists Lisa Lynne Kirkpatrick, Karen Nisenson, and Joyce DiCamillo on the Sanctuary stage. These peaceful selections, along with our expansive winter views, will create an environment for reflection and contemplation during the holiday season.

Moonlit Stroll
Dec. 14, 5:30–6:30 pm
Admire the full moon at Grace Farms with a stroll along the River building. Grace Farms Foundation Nature Initiative Director, Mark Fowler, will lead participants in a conversation around the fire in the Library about the moon’s phases and how they affect our environment, followed by a moonlit stroll.

Gifting for Good
Dec. 17, 12–4 pm
Join volunteers in assembling holiday packages to benefit local immigrant families through Neighbor’s Link. Donate $20 to provide a box of blankets, toiletries, and other essential items in the West Barn. Special tea tastings will be offered.

Poetry Potluck
Dec. 20, 6–8 pm
This holiday season, join us in the Library for a potluck of favorite poems. Bring a beloved poem printed out to share and enjoy the poetic offerings of others.

Christmas Cup
Dec. 23 2–6 pm
Bring family and friends together in teams of four for Grace Farms’ Christmas Cup, a friendly basketball tournament in the Court for teens, returning college students, and adults. This free 3 vs. 3 tournament will begin at 2 pm with 7-point half-court games in a double-elimination bracket. Twelve teams can be accommodated. Advance registration is required.

Grace Farms is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am–6 pm and Sunday from 12–6 pm. Visit gracefarms.org/calendar for registration and for more information on all of the Christmas Joy programs.